The Dutch rider launched his road season at Milan-San Remo earlier this month, after ending his cyclo-cross campaign early due to injury.

Van der Poel finished third at the Italian one-day race, which was won by Slovenia’s Matej Mohorič.

The Alpecin-Fenix rider won a stage at the Coppi e Bartali last week as he prepares for the Tour of Flanders.

Dwars door Vlaanderen will provide the final test of form prior to the Tour of Flanders, with the monument taking place on April 3.

Van der Poel will hope to head into the race on a high, with the Dutchman seeking a repeat of his 2019 Dwars door Vlaanderen success.

The race was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but saw Dutch success on its return last year when Dylan van Baarle triumphed in a solo breakaway.

Van Baarle is also set to be among the starters for tomorrow’s race.

Dutch sprinter Fabio Jakobsen is another potential contender to win the one-day race.

Reigning Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar is also among the starters, with the Slovenian seeking to test himself on the cobbled route before his Tour of Flanders debut.

Pogačar has admitted he is facing a different type of racing.

“I've really been looking forward to coming to Flanders,” Pogačar told UAE Team Emirates' website.

"The history and passion for cycling in Belgium is unique and I can’t wait to be a part of it.

"The shape is good and hopefully we can be near the front, but I’m under no illusions about the cobbles: I know this is a different kind of racing than normal.

"But I’ll try to soak it all in and enjoy as much as possible."

Belgian star Wout Van Aert, who has won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and E3 Saxo Bank Classic this season, will be absent from the race.

Tomorrow’s race will take the riders 183.7 kilometres from Roeselare to Waregem.